When we say we can’t do what we do without our dedicated, hard-working volunteers, we aren’t exaggerating. Last year, volunteers donated more than 129,500 hours, equal to 62 full-time employees. That’s a 22% increase in volunteer hours over the previous year — a truly incredible gift of time, energy, and compassion.
We are so grateful to all our volunteers who choose to spend their valuable time furthering our cause of igniting the power of community to end hunger, and each year select individual volunteers and groups to honor for their gift. This year’s volunteer award recipients are:
2024 Betty Van Hook Memorial Award Recipient: Janet Landis
- Total Hours Volunteered: 1,500+ since 2017
- Total Unique Shifts: 530+
A life-long volunteer, Janet Landis has done everything from leading a Girl Scout troop to leading anti-racism training.
“I like volunteering and I’m in a position to do it,” shared Janet, this year’s Betty Van Hook Memorial award recipient. “It feels good. It has built-in rewards.”
Food in particular is especially close to Janet’s heart.
“Food is always important; no one should have to worry about their food sources,” she said. “Food is such a social connector, in addition to the nutrition aspect. Food is important in my life, too. I love cooking, most of my kids love cooking. It’s something we’ve always done to share and connect with each other. Food is a connection to the greater community, part of the greater good.”
2024 Community Group of the Year: Northeast Early College Transition to Independence and Community Plus Program
- Total Hours Volunteered: 1,189+ since 2022
- Total Unique Shifts: 76+
Twice a week, students from Northeast Early College’s Transition to Independence (TIP) and Community Plus programs volunteer at Food Bank of the Rockies, helping nourish their neighbors and learning valuable life skills.
“Food Bank of the Rockies is perfect because there are so many other people the students can interact with; they can be in a community and have responsibility,” shared Liz Sunderland, a TIP special education teacher. “They can learn a skill, become an expert, and teach others.”
The students also enjoy knowing they are giving back.
“Several students have friends or family members who have used food banks in the past, so they know exactly what that’s like and what their volunteering is going toward,” said Liz. “They really know that this is helping people.”
2024 Corporate Group of the Year: Empower
- Total Hours Volunteered: 2,242+ since 2015
- Total Unique Shifts: 108+
At least once a year, Empower employees organize a “food bank month” and dedicate their volunteer hours to nourishing their neighbors. Many years, that month extends to two months, and employees opt to spend their free time volunteering at Food Bank of the Rockies, too.
“People are really passionate about Food Bank of the Rockies and helping in its mission. It’s so tangible,” said Grace Randazzo, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Empower. “Hunger isn’t something that cares about where you came from or what you look like. Circumstances can change really quickly. Our employees really enjoy the opportunity to do something that has a direct impact: ‘I did something today that’s going to help someone right now.’”
2024 Rising Volunteer of the Year: Alan Dickman
- Total Hours Volunteered: 671+ since 2021
- Total Unique Shifts: 233+
Alan Dickman knew that he wanted to dedicate his time to volunteering once he retired. And he’s done just that.
“I wanted to do something that wouldn’t just benefit me, but that was really impactful. I thought Food Bank of the Rockies was the perfect thing to contribute to,” shared Alan.
When there are new volunteers, Alan enjoys showing them the scope of the Food Bank’s operation by bringing them to see the rows and rows of food getting processed and going into the community.
“You can see how much it’s helping people,” he said. “It’s a privilege to do this work, to impact so many lives not just in Colorado, but also in Wyoming. To help feed so many people.”
